Cayce Health Database

RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

The Edgar Cayce health information is a rich source of research hypotheses with regard to anatomy, physiology, pathology, and therapy. This section contains a variety of research hypotheses waiting to be pursued.

PURPOSE Investigate therapeutic uses of gold chloride in rheumatoid arthritis. More broadly, to understand role of gold as an essential trace element.

BACKGROUND Gold has been used therapeutically for decades for rheumatoid arthritis. Although the effectiveness of gold therapy is controversial, it is clear that treatment with organic gold compounds sometimes result in severe side-effects. A few studies suggest that gold may have a more extensive application, serving as an essential element associated with nervous system functioning. Edgar Cayce often recommended gold (usually gold chloride) both orally and vibratorally (via electrotherapy). In a number of cases, oral gold was suggested for rheumatoid arthritis. Over the years, oral gold chloride has been taken by numerous individuals as per Cayce's recommendations with few or no reported side-effects. Click here to view a brief article discussing the role of oral gold treatment as recommended by Cayce.

OBJECTIVES 1. Do a clinical trial of gold chloride with rheumatoid arthritis to determine clinical efficacy and possible side-effects. 2. Encourage basic research into gold as a possible essential trace element involved in nervous system functioning.

BOWEL PERMEABILITY IN PSORIASIS

PURPOSE Investigate the role of bowel permeability in psoriasis by replication of previous studies. If bowel permeability is documented, research therapeutic interventions such as herbal teas and dietary restrictions intended to decrease bowel permeability.

BACKGROUND Edgar Cayce often described a "thinning of the walls of the small intestine" ("leaky gut syndrome") in cases of psoriasis as a primary etiological factor. Toxins leaking from the bowel were eliminated through the skin, resulting in the characteristic lesions of psoriasis. Herbal teas and dietary changes were recommended to decrease toxicity and heal the gut. The medical literature contains numerous studies investigating the role of bowel permeability and dietary factors in psoriasis. Click here to view an extensive literature review on intestinal pathology in Psoriasis.

OBJECTIVES 1. Do an analysis of bowel permeability in psoriatic patients comparing two well established methods: 1) lactulose/mannitol ratio and 2) 51Cr-labeled EDTA absorption test. 2. If bowel permeability is deemed a possible factor in psoriasis, encourage patients to follow a simple protocol of herbal teas (yellow saffron and slippery elm bark) and diet (mostly fruits and vegetables) to determine the clinical efficacy of the Cayce approach to psoriasis.

INTESTINAL ETIOLOGY IN MIGRAINE

PURPOSE Investigate intestinal pathology as a significant etiology in migraine. If intestinal pathology is documented, research therapeutic interventions such as diet, hydrotherapy, and manual therapy to decrease intestinal pathology.

BACKGROUND Edgar Cayce often described bowel pathology in cases of migraine. In one particularly significant reading he noted, "the sources of the conditions to which the body becomes allergic in the digestive system should be looked for - that deal with all migraine headaches. So, this information might be used universally as to the sources of such, if it would be accepted." Irritation to the nervous system of the bowel (enteric nervous system) is one possible pathophysiological link between the gut and central nervous systems manifestations of this neurovascular disorder. Diet, hydrotherapy, and manual therapy were often recommended for cases of migraine. The medical literature contains numerous studies investigating the role of bowel pathology in migraine. Click here to view a literature review of intestinal pathology in migraine.

OBJECTIVES 1. Analyze bowel mucosal architecture in migraine patients compared to healthy controls. 2. If bowel pathology is deemed a possible factor in migraine, encourage patients to follow a simple protocol of diet (mostly fruits and vegetables), hydrotherapy, and manual therapy to determine the clinical efficacy of the Cayce approach to migraine.

SOMATIC DYSFUNCTION IN ASTHMA

PURPOSE Investigate the role of somatic dysfunction in asthma. If somatic dysfunction is documented, measures the effects of manual therapy to decrease somatic dysfunction and improve clinical features of asthma.

OBJECTIVES 1. Investigate the role of somatic dysfunction in asthma via standard manual therapy assessment and physiological parameters such as heart rate variability and mucosal blood flow to bronchial vessels. 2. If somatic dysfunction is deemed a possible factor in asthma, provide manual therapy in a controlled study to measure the efficacy of this treatment for asthma.

BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disorder affecting the inner lining of the large intestine. The inflammation causes the colon to empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. As cells on the surface of the lining of the colon die and slough off, ulcers (tiny open sores) form, causing pus, mucus, and bleeding. From a medical perspective, the cause of ulcerative colitis is not known and currently there is no cure apart from surgical removal of the diseased colon. About half of patients have only mild symptoms. Only in rare cases, when complications occur, is the disease fatal. There may be remissions - periods when the symptoms go away - that last for months or even years. However, most patients' symptoms eventually return. Standard medical treatment for patients with ulcerative colitis usually involves medication or surgery. Edgar Cayce often noted that ulcerative colitis (and colitis in general) is produced as an after-effect of virus (usually flu) which has settled in the system. One of Cayce's primary treatments for ulcerative colitis is a remedy consisting of wild ginseng root, wild ginger root, and lactated pepsin. This formulation has proven effective in several cases of ulcerative colitis.

OBJECTIVES 1. Test the clinical efficacy of the ginseng tonic in patients with ulcerative colitis in a clinical setting.

BACKGROUND Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a noncontagious cardiovascular illness that afflicts over 37 million people in the United States. It is highly variable in its symptoms and severity. The cause of hypertension is unknown, although in about 10 percent of cases, hypertension is linked to specific illnesses such as kidney disease and adrenal gland tumors. From a medical perspective, hypertension cannot be cured. Therefore, standard medical treatment of hypertension is directed at control of the illness with drugs and lifestyle changes. Edgar Cayce often cited congestion in the large bowel as a primary etiological factor in cases of essential hypertension. Colonic irrigation was one of the most frequently recommended therapies in such cases.

OBJECTIVES 1. Measure the effects of colonic irrigation in patients with essential hypertension. A series of three irrigations in a thirty day period is recommended. Measurement of blood pressure and medication levels are compared to matched controls not receiving colon hydrotherapy.

ABDOMINAL PATHOLOGY IN IDIOPATHIC EPILEPSY

PURPOSE To investigate the possible role of abdominal pathology in idiopathic epilepsy, especially with regard to abdominal temperature variations, symptom profiles, and patient history.

BACKGROUND Epilepsy is a group of serious neurological diseases including various forms of seizure disorder. Some forms of epilepsy (symptomatic) are linked to specific causes such as a blow to the head. However, the cause(s) of most epilepsy is unknown (idiopathic). One subgroup of idiopathic epilepsy is "abdominal epilepsy," known to exist in both children and adults. Click here to view an article on abdominal epilepsy. Edgar Cayce consistently maintained that most cases of "true" (idiopathic) epilepsy originated from the abdomen, specifically in the lacteal ducts associated with the lymphatic nodes on the right side of the abdomen. Decreased circulation, abdominal symptoms, and aberrant nerve reflexes resulting in seizures were the result of adhesions in the lacteal ducts. Hot castor oil packs and abdominal massage were typical therapeutic modalities recommended in such cases. Furthermore, the decreased circulation was said to produce a "cold spot" on the right side of the abdomen (between the liver and caecum) in all cases of idiopathic epilepsy. Thermographic measurements in several cases of epilepsy with abdominal features has documented temperature anomalies in several patients in preliminary studies.

OBJECTIVES 1. Record abdominal symptoms and history of abdominal features (including insult or injury to abdominal organs) in a group of patients with epilepsy and matched controls without epilepsy. 2. Measure and compare abdominal temperatures for both groups via thermography. Also, look for possible correlations between abdominal temperatures, symptoms and history in epileptic group.

LEYDIG GLAND

PURPOSE Rediscover the leydig gland and research its function in humans.

BACKGROUND Franz Von Leydig was a famous and well-respected biologist who discovered the cells of leydig in 1850 and the leydig gland in 1892. The cells of leydig are interstitial cells located primarily in the reproductive glands and are best known for the production of testosterone. According to Leydig, the leydig gland is located in the mesonephros tissue in vertebrates. Its function is unknown - Leydig thought its role was to stimulate movement of spermatozoa. Leydig's discoveries lay dormant for decades as it was almost 100 years before medical science rediscovered the cells of leydig. Now there are hundreds of articles on Medline documenting the functions of these cells. The leydig gland has yet to be rediscovered. Edgar Cayce often spoke of the leydig gland, describing it as a small gland lying above the reproductive organs. In one instance, he said the leydig gland (which is normally about the size of a small pea) had become engorged to the size of a wren's egg. The person was suffering from schizophrenia. From Cayce's perspective, pathology of the leydig gland was sometimes associated with psychiatric and neurological conditions such as schizophrenia, manic-depressive disorder, and epilepsy. Cayce also linked the leydig gland to psychological and spiritual development and functioning.

OBJECTIVES 1. Obtain a copy and translation of the Leydig's original paper documenting the discovery of the leydig gland. 2. Locate the anatomical position of the leydig gland. 3. Analyze the tissue from the leydig gland to determine biochemical and physiological attributes. 4. Encourage researchers to do further research on the leydig gland to determine its relevance to medical science.

IODINE THERAPY FOR LEUKEMIA

PURPOSE To investigate the therapeutic potential of intravenous iodine in the treatment of leukemia.

BACKGROUND Leukemia is a form of blood cancer of unknown causation. Leukemia is the most common form of malignant disease in children, but is more common in adults. There are several types of leukemia, some more responsive to treatment than others. Medical intervention usually involves anti-cancer medications and frequent transfusions of red blood cells and component solutions. In reading 2208-1, Edgar Cayce made the remarkable statement that with the use of iodine transfusions in cases of leukemia, "there will be the ability to reduce the percentage of such cases more than fifty percent." He noted that the effects would have to be closely monitored and adjusted. He suggested that the initial research be done on laboratory animals to determine therapeutics dosages.

OBJECTIVES 1. Do transfusions with laboratory animals to determine toxicity levels and therapeutic dosage for tincture of iodine. 2. Having set parameters for iodine therapy, test iodine transfusion efficacy in treatment resistant leukemia.

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE THERAPY FOR DIABETES

PURPOSE Investigate the potential effects of Jerusalem artichoke as a dietary supplement in diabetes.

BACKGROUND Diabetes is a group of conditions in which glucose (sugar) levels are abnormally high. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops making enough insulin or the insulin that is produced is not effective in the proper metabolism of digested foods. Diabetes can cause problems that damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Medical treatment for diabetes may involve diet, exercise, oral medications or insulin. There is no known cure for diabetes; daily treatment must continue throughout a person's lifetime. Edgar Cayce provides a unique perspective of diabetes, often linking it to systemic imbalances involving the nervous system and digestive processes. One of the common recommendations for diabetics was the use of Jerusalem artichoke to decrease or eliminate the need for insulin supplementation.

OBJECTIVE 1. Include Jerusalem artichoke as a dietary supplement in the diets of diabetic patients (3x per week). This is a complementary medicine model which encourages the patient to continue all standard medical treatments. Regular monitoring of blood-sugar levels are encouraged to document any possible effects of the Jerusalem artichoke.

Note: The above information is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please consult a qualified health care professional for assistance in applying the information contained in the Cayce Health Database.